In his first high school football coaching job, Joe Henrich spent one season as the defensive coordinator at Northampton in the 2001 season. It was there that he began a connection with rival Catasauqua.

“It was always special to play in a Thanksgiving Day game,” recalled Henrich recently. “I always thought Catty had tough kids with a good work ethic. Catty always was an interesting and intriguing place to me.”

Twenty-three years later, Henrich will now call Catty his new football home.

Henrich was recently named head coach of the Rough Riders’ program, replacing Travis Brett after his four-year stint.

It will be Henrich’s first head coaching position since he left Bethlehem Catholic after guiding the Golden Hawks to four district titles as well as two PIAA semifinal appearances. He compiled an overall 67-41 mark at Becahi.

A former Emmaus High School and University of Connecticut offensive lineman, Henrich also has had coaching stops at Emmaus, Freedom as well as West Connecticut, Albright College, University of Redlands (California), and Muhlenberg College. This will be his second high-school head coaching position.

Roughies’ athletic director Tom Moll saw Henrich as a perfect fit.

“Coach Henrich is well-equipped to lead our student athletes,” said Moll in a statement. “Coach Henrich’s vision extends beyond the field; he is dedicated to fostering the holistic development of our student-athletes, emphasizing both academic excellence and athletic achievement. Under his leadership, we look forward to a culture grounded in accountability, discipline and teamwork resulting in a consistently competitive football program.”

When Henrich heard of the opening, he did take a passing glance. However, upon speaking to a former coaching colleague, Henrich’s interest began to grow.

“I spoke to (assistant to the superintendent) Eric (Dauberman), and we had a good conversation,” noted Henrich. “We coached together over at Emmaus. We were pretty much in agreement in what I wanted to accomplish and what the administration was looking for. I learned that you have to share the same philosophies.

“It is not a matter of win-at-all-cost but to be able to find success. I know I can do some things differently than I have done in the past. Still, we were aligned with many things.”

Heinrich served as principal at St. Joseph the Worker School in Orefield last year, but he will begin a position in the high school as a behavior health counselor and instruct a class for freshmen on how to adapt to high school life.

He knows that building his type of program may take time. In his first two years at Bethlehem Catholic, Henrich’s teams were 3-7 and 1-9, and then won a district championship in year three. The Roughies were 6-6 last season, ending in a 34-20 district defeat to Williams Valley and a 47-7 loss to Northampton on Thanksgiving morning.

Henrich understands that Catty’s numbers have been just spilling over the 30-mark. The Roughies also have had players transfer in recent years. He plans to work to establish a new foundation.

The Roughies will bring back junior quarterback Aiden Hess, who threw for 1,852 yards with 19 touchdowns. They graduated leading receiver Ian Juica, leading rusher Hunter Reitz, and leading tackler Chad Beller.

“I know I have to establish what I am trying to do,” he said. ”I also have to be visible. We had about five to 10 kids show up at a meeting that didn’t play last year. We know we have to put some work in our youth program.

“It is about the kids believing in your philosophy and buying in. It takes a couple of years, but that’s when you establish bonds and move forward.”

Henrich has taken the initial steps to construct his coaching staff. He has made connections with some of his former players who could be joining him.

“That’s the cool part,” responded Henrich on his former players possibly on the staff. “It would be great to have some college players come back. I know one guy who just started a new job, and a couple of guys aren’t coaching anymore.

“We’ll get it together soon.”

Whatever the situation, Henrich does see plenty of positives ahead.

“I do believe we have talent here,” he said. “I have heard that Catty is a great district and a great place to work. It will be a key to be in the building. We all must have to make the most of our opportunities.”